KAKINADA: The people of Kullapadu village of Kunavaram merged mandal staged rastaroko at Kunavaram main road in the agency area by blocking the road with bullock –cart, expressing resentment over removal of their residential huts at hillock areas in nearby forests.
Telugu Desam leaders like Y.Bhaskara Rao and others rendered their support to their agitation. The agitators say that Kullapadu and Narsinga peta villages are adjacent to rivulet and if the floods arrive, these two villages will be submerged. Mr Bhaskara Rao said that recently, the ITDA Project Officer has cautioned the people of Polavaram Project Affected people to evacuate their villages to escape from the coming floods.
He said that the people in Kullapadu have laid huts in the Reserve Forest area as the area is only the safest place for them to save their lives from the flood threat. Meanwhile, the forest officials removed nearly 60 huts from the place.
He demanded the government should allow them to build temporary houses in the forest area until the R&R package and Rehabilitation Colonies are completed.
Meanwhile, the Forest Section Officer Mr Buchiraju said that anybody should not be allowed to axe the trees in the Reserve Forest Area as it is an offence under Reserve Forest Act 1967. He said that the people should make alternative arrangements without harming the forest.
Meanwhile, the people of Muddulagudem in Kunavaram mandal faced the same problem from the forest officials. Nearly 15 families laid huts at the safest places in the area, but the forest officials said that they should not be allowed in the reserve forest area. But the people said that they have not axed a single tree and the government should allow them to build temporary houses.
